1/4inch sockets worth it?

[c201971]

hello i have 1/2inch and 3/8inch chrome socket set and i was jw if it is wort buying a whole 1/4inch set is worth it so in short im wondering if u get ur use out of them or are they a drawer ornament?

 

[John316]

I use mine all the time for the smaller sizes not available in 3/8. Sometimes it's a must for clearance in my opinion.

 

[Thedroid]

I use mine all the time also. I have the snap on set with the standard and metric, and it gets used all the time.

 

[Roots]

It depends what you tend to work on, in some cases they're necessities, other times they're nearly irrelevant. If you're using your tools for a living, I'd get them just for when the time comes that space restraints require them.

If you're not wrenching for a living, and haven't had a need for them by now, you'll likely do just fine without them.

 

[Shipfittin]

1/4" sets are certainly worth it, use mine constantly. There are a lot of situations it's easier to use then 3/8" sets. Like working on computers or small appliances.

 

[canuckian]

Use mine quite a bit for interior work and on my motorcycle but if you don't work on anything with small fasteners, you'd likely get by without them. Or, you could just buy the sizes that aren't covered in 3/8 drive and use a step down adapter on a 3/8 ratchet.

 

[blacK20]

Mine get used all the time as well. Its just so much nicer to handle and manuver around with smaller and lighter tools.

 

[Hammer1963]

I use the 1/4" drive set as much as I can. Get a nice ratchet and you'll never regret the money you've spent on it.

 

[arizonaadam]

I love quarter inch drive. On the motorcycle, inside the house. Just about anything I can use quarter for I do. Just a lot easier to handle. Of course, it depends on what work you do. I
Personally, I rarely use 1/2", opting for 3/8 unless necessary to move up.

 

[jethro29]

i use mine as much if not more thsan my 3/8. i would absolutely suggest that you get a set.

 

[Rogue1987]

For me, I use my 1/4 the most it seems, followed by 3/8, then 3/4, then 1/2, but I'm weird.

 

[twincam00]

1/4" socket set is really handy for getting in tight places as others have said, I would just buy a cheaper set like a Craftsman though since they won't usually be seeing very high torque

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

I use 8,10 and 12mm pretty often with long flex head ratchet.

 

[Appleyard]

Definitely worth it. My 1/4 set is just Craftsman and it works just as it should. I use mine for anything under the dash like blower motors or when you have to remove bolts to get the plastic covers off to get to the ignition switch. I also like to use them with my 1/4" air ratchet for loosening transmission pan bolts.

Better to have it and not need it...

 

[greasemonkey44]

all the time;new cars have thousands of tiny fasteners
for 20$ try it out
what line of work are you in that you dont see lots of smaller fastners?

 

[greenmustangben]

I have worked on cars for 10 years 1/4 in. wratchets and sockets got most use.

 

[Jim C.]

I use mine all the time. Well worth the investment. I tend to believe that one finds a use for tools when he/she has them on hand. If you're on this site, asking about sockets, there's a good chance that if you added 1/4" sockets to your hand tool arsenal, you'd find a reason to use them. Get a set of USA made Craftsman and see what you think. It's a cheap investment.

Jim C.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

I use mine alot. I love my 1/4 inch stuff. Im debating breaking down and buying a snap on TX72. but for now I have the craftsman premium and I have a set of gearwrench flex head (mine are comfort grip but If i had it to do over again I would skip the comfort grip especially for working on cars, they get dirty way to easy and marred up easy too but they are kinda cool when they are new.)

My cman premium is my favorite as of now. its sleek, good chrome, slim head and long. the new handle design is kinda cool to. its flat instead of round. but it comes at a price still pretty cool tho.

I do like my gw stuff tho but is china made.

But yes I suggest 1/4" alot and lots of extensions granted im an aircraft mech But a good 1/4" ratchet and some universal sockets and almost no bolt can not be tamed

Best luck in whatever you decide.
Sean Scott

 

[racer1735]

If you work on motorcycles....or even kitchen cabinets...you will encounter more than the occasional 6mm and 4mm head. Those pretty much require a smaller socket such as a 1/4". Plus, it really helps fill out your toolbox drawer!

 

[94legaleagle]

I personally have a 1/4 Snap On ratchet w/ flex head that I LOVE - combine that w/ the Matco 1/4 metric shallow and deep socket set (that the SO ratchet came w/ - AUCTION), and I love the 1/4 drives - especially for 10mm sizes on down!

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I've found that I use 1/4" more often than 3/8" anymore.

 

[Greatbear]

I use 1/4" all the time. Given the mixture of fastener sizes under hoods these days, it's a must-have set. Not to mention trying to get into tighter spots than ever makes having a broad range of sockets/sets a necessity. Since I work on electronic and small odd mechanical stuff all the time, I'd be lost without 'em.

 

[davesnothere]

I can't imagine not owning 1/4" drive sockets

 

[humpdawg]

1/4 drive is the best. snap on T72 and THLF72 is what i use all day long.
Chassis, suspension, brakes, I'll switch to larger, but a lot of the time a 1/4 gets envolved.

 

[ZRX61]

Use mine all the time, more often that 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4 combined..

 

[GoBlue]

any and all interior work calls for the 1/4...hell i even picked up a 1/4 makita impact and use the hell out of that for inner fenderwells, splash guards etc.

 

[azcactus]

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[jvitez]

Use mine quite a bit. With the smaller torque required you can get by with a cheaper set too. I had a Taiwanese Canadian Tire set for a long time until I bought a complete 1/4" NOS SK set off Amazon. It'll do me for life I'm sure (hobby, not pro use).

 

[ajchien]

Depends on how you want to work. I used to use 3/8 as a base - and then stepped up to 1/2 when I needed to. However, in the past year, I've gotten in the habit of breaking bolts loose with a longer breaker bar, and then following it up with 1/4 drive. The shorter handle of 1/4 ratchets is more maneuverable and faster for me.... But then, it really more depends on what kind of job I'm doing than anything else...

 

[otis66]

I use mine all of the time too. You should get a 1/4" drive ratchet with a long handle too.

 

[joenero]

I'm finding more often that either the fastener in going to be tiny or huge and that 3/8" for the line I work on is less necessary as the major mechanical/driveline parts become more reliable. Complex electric systems are becoming the bigger issue and getting to them the problem. I've probably gone weeks straight when all my 3/8" tools might be used for are brake work and drain plugs.

 

[wingrider]

Working on motorbikes I couldnt live without 1/4. dont use 1/2 anymore, only when working on the car

 

[v7guy]

I use the 1/4" set quite a bit. all I have is some cheap China sets but the limited torque they see means you can get away with it.
Mostly I use it on interior and some upper engine bolts (think fuel rails and electrical components).

I'm just a hobby wrencher though

 

[bart1]

They are small and easy to grab and take with ya. I say they are worth buying.

Here is a great deal on a metric "starter set".

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Sktools/91813.html

 

[north]

As a hobbyist I love my 1/4" stuff. My Facom R2 nano is often used.

 

[countryroad82]

Get a full set of 1/4 sockets (deep and shallow) some wobble extensions (I prefer them more than standard ones) and a good cordless screwdriver or impact and you will wonder what you did before you had those!!! I use mine constantly in my line of work (autobody at home shop, mechanic at work).

 

[Modern Jess]

I reach for 1/4" stuff first. I work on scooters and motorcycles, so it's sized appropriate for most things. When I get to really big stuff, like engine mounts and axle nuts, I'll reach for 1/2". I could probably get by almost completely without 3/8".

 

[IndyGarage]

1/4 is something you don't think you need until you get a good set and use them all the time.

As others say, it's much easier to pull them out and use them. I have several 1/4 inch sets stashed in various places around home for projects.

You need a really fine tooth 1/4 ratchet.

I love the 1/4 Wera Zyklop. The kit where it comes with a bit adapter, some driver bits and some metric sockets is one of the most useful compact toolkits I've ever used.

 

[Notwerk]

Harder to damage/overtorque a small fastener with a 1/4 than a 3/8. Definitely has it's place, and 1/4 sets can be had pretty cheap. I use an SK (USA) similar to the one above (mine is a Tuff1, not a palm drive), and it does the job nicely. My favorite 1/4-inch so far.

The Williams m-52 (USA) is a pretty nice ratchet that won't cost you too much. Handle/Knurling feels a little cheap, but it's pretty smooth.

The Blackhawk GW-9955B (USA, of global components) is a nice, well-built ratchet that won't break the bank, too. Beware that it has an 8 degree arc, not the 4 degree that's advertised. It's a single-pawl unit. Nothing wrong with an 8-degree arc, but I thought it was dishonest to claim it as a 4-degree, dual-pawl unit when it is really an 8-degree, single-pawl. Still, it feels like you could use it as a hammer. Nice chrome and very, very solid.

But, honestly, for such low-torque applications, a Craftsman RP set (USA) should do the job well and is very inexpensive.

The Kobalt (when on sale) and HF Pro sets are nice and cheap, if you're OK with a foreign COO (both Taiwan).

Lots of inexpensive options, and I think there's no reason not to have one.

 

[porcupine73]

I really like 1/4 drive stuff, since it's light and more maneuverable. I use 1/2 drive on some brake work or stuck fasteners then switch to the smaller drive to get the fasteners out the rest of the way. Sometimes I use 3/4 drive such as on axle nuts and crank pulley bolts.